Seal cleaning machine



Aug. 30, 1932. F. E. FOWLER SEAL CLEANING MACHINE Filed May 8. 1928 ATTOR N EY Patented Aug. 30, 1932 FRANK E. FOWLER, OF ATHENS, GEORGIA SEAL CLEANING MACHINE Application filed May 8, 1928. Serial No. 276,097.

This invention relates to improvements in separating machines, an object being to provide a machine which is especially adapted for removing and separating dirt, broken cork or other extraneous matter from crown seals, so that the latter will be thoroughly cleaned and ready for use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine for the above purpose which includes a rotatable cleaning and separating drum of novel construction, the said drum having means for violently agitating the seals in their passage through the drum, and means to retard such passage so that any foreign substance which might otherwise adhere to the seals, will be removed.

Another object of the invention is theprovision of means for feeding the seals to the drum and for operating said feeding means through the mechanism utilized for rotating the drum.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a sectional view of a seal cleaning machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

'liigures 3 and i are sections taken respectively on the lines 3-3 and k4 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character indicates the frame of the machine within which is rotatably mounted a horizontally disposed shaft 11, while mounted upon one end of this shaft is a drum 12. The drum is tapered and is preferably formed of a frame 13 covered with woven wire or other foraminous material 14:, the small end of the Extending longitudinally of the drum are circumferentially spaced inwardly extending agitator strips 18, while disposed transversely within the drum is a partition 19. A head is provided at the outer or large end of the drum.

The partition 19 and head 20 are provided with spaced openings 21 for the passage of the seals, and extending from these openings are inclined lips or flanges 22, the purpose of which is to facilitate the passage of seals through the openings when the latter reach the partition 19 and head 20.

Mounted upon the frame 10 is a feed hopper 23 which has extending therefrom a chute 24: whose open end is disposed within the opening 17 of the head 16. The juncture of the hopper 23 with the chute 24 provides a seat for a valve 25 and this valve is carried by a rod 26 which is mounted for longitudinal-reciprocatory movement in a guide 27. The lower end of the rod is operatively associated with the shaft 11 and for this purpose, the lower end of the'rod is provided with a head 28 which is engaged by a cam 29 mounted on the shaft 11.

Also mounted on the shaft 11 is a worm gear 30 which is engaged and driven by a worm 31 mounted upon a shaft 32. The

shaft 32 is rotatable in suitable bearings 33 carried by the frame 10 and has mounted thereon a pulley 34 which is driven by a belt 35. operated from a motor 36.

The seals or other material to be cleaned are fed from the hopper 23, through the chute 24 into the drum 12. The seals are intermittently fed through the operation of the valve 25 and when they reach the drum. they are taken up by the agitator strips 18 and violently thrown about within the drum, the seals remaining within the inner end of the drum until they reach the partition 19. Their passage to the large or discharge end of the drum is retarded by this partition until the seals are taken up by the flanges or lips 22, whereupon they are guided through the openings 21. The seals are again taken up and violently agitated by the strips 18 until they reach the head 20, whereupon the operation just described in connection with i the partition 19 is repeated. The dirt, cork i particles and other extraneous matter will pass outward through the wall' 14 of the screen so that the seals which pass outward through the discharge openings 21 will be thoroughly cleaned and ready for use.

The invention is susceptible, of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is here- I j in reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope. oftheappended claim.

Having described the invention whatis' A seal cleaning machine comprising a ver:

tical supporting structure, a hopper located at the upper'end of the supporting structure, a horizontal shaft journalled on the supporting; structure below the hopper and projectingbeyond one side-of. said supporting structure, means for rotating the shaft,'a cleaning. drum secured to the, extended end of the shaft, a tapering tubular chute "be? tween the lower endof the hopper and one end of the drum,'a valve inthe hopper and having oppositely disposed conical shaped portionswith -one of'saidportions movable relative to one end'of the chute for opening and closing the latter and the other portion movable in the hopper to form an agitator, a rod on the valve and extending through one wall of the chute and terminating adjacent the shaft, a guide secured to the exterior of the chute and slidably receiving the rod to center the valve relative to said end of the chute, anda cam secured to the shaft" and engaging the rod'to; interinittently open and close said-valve In testimonywhereof I affix mysignature, V

FRANK FOWLER. 

